Have you heard the saying vote early and vote often? This quote has been attributed to three different infamous Chicago characters (including Al Capone). Seriously you can vote early (but only once). So if you have a valid excuse for not being able to vote on Election Day 2016 you can vote now.
It is quite unusual for an election to be held during Winter and school holidays. This will impact on the number of people who will be away on Election Day (not to mention the sausage sizzle economy). If you need to vote now, we have listed below where you can cast a pre poll vote. Usually, the Lane Cove Council building is a pre polling centre, but not this election.
Remember voting is compulsory and yes you really can only vote once. Apparently a few years ago in Chicago, the voters had to be reminded that if they voted early, they could not also vote on election day (yes this is true).
ITC was away for the last State Election and you could vote online – using the iVote® system. This is NOT available for Federal Elections.
If recent federal election trends continue, more than 4 million people could have their say before election day by visiting an early voting or mobile polling centre, or applying for a postal vote.
Postal Vote
If you are unable to get to a polling place on Saturday, July 2nd you are eligible to apply to vote by post . If you do not apply as soon as possible, you may have to choose an alternative way to vote. You can apply here.
Pre Poll Voting Places
If you cannot arrange for a postal vote then the following place are pre poll voting place.
Voters are not entitled to an early vote out of convenience or personal preference. This year is the first full federal election where voters wanting to pre poll will be asked whether they are entitled to do so.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) said the question has been added to “provide greater awareness of the rules under the Electoral Act”.
| Chatswood | Old Sydney Water Board Building Lvl 3 Chatswood Rail Interchange Assisted wheelchair access
|
| Crows Nest | 270 Pacific Hwy Shop 1, 270 Pacific Hwy Assisted wheelchair access
|
| Mosman | Shop 2 and 3, 50 Spit Rd Not wheelchair accessible
|
| Sydney | Sydney Town Hall Druitt St Assisted wheelchair access
|
Voting on Election Day
The following Lane Cove places are polling stations on Election Day, from 8am till 6pm. Remember it is UnAustralian not to buy a snag on Voting Day. If your organisation is holding a snag sizzle, read our tips here on how to hold the perfect snag sizzle.
| Lane Cove | Lane Cove Bowling and Recreation Club 151 Burns Bay Road Assisted wheelchair accessLane Cove Council 48 Longueville Road Assisted wheelchair access Lane Cove Public School St Michael’s Catholic Primary School |
| Lane Cove North | Chatswood South Uniting Church cnr Mowbray Road & Pacific Highway Not wheelchair accessibleMowbray Public School 635 Mowbray Road West Assisted wheelchair access |
| Lane Cove West | Lane Cove West Public School Avalon Road Assisted wheelchair access |
| Longueville | St Andrew’s Uniting Church cnr Kenneth & Christina Streets Assisted wheelchair access |
| Greenwich | Greenwich Memorial Community Centre 46-50 Greenwich Road Assisted wheelchair access |
Just remember if you do not vote you will be fined. After the election, the AEC will send a letter to all apparent non-voters requesting that they either provide a valid and sufficient reason for failing to vote or pay a $20 penalty.
If, within the time period specified on the notice, you fail to reply, cannot provide a valid and sufficient reason or decline to pay the $20 penalty, then the matter may be referred to a court. If the matter is dealt with in court and you are found guilty, you may be fined up to $180 plus court costs and a criminal conviction may be recorded against you.
Do you have a local issue you would like help with? ITC is here to help just email us at [email protected]
You can subscribe to our newsletter by filling out the form at the bottom of our homepage. Our newsletter is sent out every Wednesday Night at 7.30pm and includes details of Lane Cove Events for the next seven days or so, and articles you may have missed during the previous week.
